1 Chronicles 6:54 Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites… The references here made to the provisions for the support of the priests, and the allotment of cities for their residence, are designed to confirm their claim for reinstatement in their properties on the return from the Captivity. Priests and Levites had a right to this independent support by the appointment of God and the good will of the people they served. Levi had no proper tribal allotment. This tribe was separated for the religious service of the whole nation. Its material sustenance was made dependent on the people it served, and each tribe gave up certain of its towns for the habitation of Levitical families, and certain lands to provide them with necessary food. So we have introduced for consideration, the dependence of religious teachers on those they serve in spiritual things for the due supply of their material wants - a subject to which St. Paul gives careful consideration, urging that they who "preach the gospel" may reasonably expect to "live of the gospel." Those engaged in spiritual ministrations properly expect to receive carnal ministrations, I. THE DIVINE DESIGNATION OF MEN TO SPIRITUAL WORK. Seen in Aaron and his descendants, in the prophets, in the Lord Jesus Christ himself, in apostles, and equally in the Christian Church. A designation recognized in (1) the demand for such work; (2) the Divine endowment of men for such work; and (3) the call of men to undertake such work, by the inward impulses of the Holy Spirit, by the leadings of Divine providence, and by the recognition of fitness on the part of our fellow-men. Spiritual work has in every age formed a sphere of its own, and those engaged in it have been wisely separated from common business responsibilities. Good reasons are found in (1) the absorbing character of spiritual duties; (2) the prolonged and continuous preparations which such duties demand; (3) the relation of efficient spiritual work to personal soul-culture; (4) the exigencies of human life making demands on spiritual men at all hours and seasons; (5) and the tendency of thorough occupation with spiritual things to unfit men for the stress and toil necessary to achieve success in business life. Some forms of spiritual work (as Sunday school, visiting, etc.) are found compatible with a life amid ordinary carnal scenes; but it is well that some should leave "serving tables," and give themselves "to the Word and prayer." II. SUCH DESIGNATION TO SPIRITUAL WORK DOES NOT RELIEVE MEN FROM CARNAL NECESSITIES. The whole circle of personal and family needs remains; and God has never seen fit to employ any miraculous means for the supply of such needs for Levites, prophets, or apostles. The exception seems to be Elijah. But even God's own Son, the world's spiritual Redeemer, might not make stones bread, though he felt hunger, thirst, weariness, and want. III. THE RESPONSIBILITY RESTS ON MEN TO ARRANGE THE CARNAL PROVISIONS. God sends us back on two principles: (1) brotherhood; (2) gratitude for blessing received. Each should find for the other what that other lacked. Those who are constantly receiving spiritual blessings are bound to acknowledge them by kindly and thoughtful gifts and provisions. Such should ever be arranged on liberal and generous scales, and such provision is sure to prove a means of grace to those who provide. St. Paul's teaching and example on this matter are opposed. He distinctly claimed full temporal support for all Christian teachers; and he refused such aid in his own case for such sufficient reasons as make his case an exception that proves the rule. Show wherein lies the distinction between the spiritual and the carnal, and carefully urge that it must not be unduly pressed, or the spiritual man will exaggerate his separateness, and the carnal man will feel freed from all claim to be spiritual. The carnal man is to become spiritual, learning how to be "in the world, and not of it;" and aid in attaining this the spiritual man is called to provide. So there is to be mutual helpfulness. - R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot. |
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